Local Water Done Well: UPDATE

At the Council meeting held on Thursday 7 November, an report was presented to Elected Members by CE Shayne Harris on the work that has been taking place in regards to Local Water Done Well.

At a regional level, a viability assessment has taken place with seven regional councils to determine financially, how water services should be managed.  Council completed financial modelling to determine what a joint full regional model would look like for ratepayers over the coming 10, 20 and 30 years.

The result of the modelling concluded that a full regional CCO model has no financial advantages.  In fact there are significant financial disadvantages over the three modelled periods as MDC ratepayers would be subsidising other Council’s to bring their 3 Waters infrastructure up to equal standards.

After a robust discussion, Elected Members carried the motion to discontinue any further work on a full Manawatu-Whanganui regional Water Services Council Controlled Organisation which includes Palmerston North City Council, Tararua District Council, Horowhenua District Council, Rangitikei District Council, Whanganui District Council and Ruapehu District Council.

The decision made at Council to discontinue a regional model, does not eliminate the possibility of smaller models with neighbouring Councils.  MDC will continue to investigate feasibility and will consider financial viability, governance structure, iwi relations and the potential for a CCO when looking at further options.

On 19 December 2024, Local Water Done Well will be brought back to Council to assess further options and to make a final decision on Council’s preferred option. Options including our preferred option would then be presented to the public for consultation in the new year.

Mayor Helen Worboys, made it clear that “Council needs to do it’s homework on all possible options before we make our final decisions on which options we are presented for public consultation in the new year.”

The full report presented to Council for this agenda item can be found in the 7 November Agenda by visiting: Manawatū District Council Agendas & Minutes | Manawatū District Council